Daily Jolt, June 6: NBA may move Game 2 if AC isn't fixed

If the San Antonio Spurs can't cool off their arena over the weekend, there's a chance they might lose a portion of the home-court advantage they'd earned heading into the NBA Finals. NBA president of basketball operations Rod Thorn vowed that the air conditioning at the AT&T Center would be restored to full function by Game 2 on Sunday after a malfunction left fans and players in stifling heat for much of San Antonio's 110-95 victory in Game 1 on Thursday night. Thorn said an alternative site will be considered if the air-conditioning system is not repaired, but stressed again that he does not think that will be necessary. Heat-related cramps forced Miami star LeBron James out of Thursday's opener for good with the Heat trailing 94-92 and roughly four minutes left. The malfunction wasn't announced until the end of the third quarter to a wave of boos from the overheated crowd. (San Antonio Express-News)Comment

After striking out on its own as a football independent in 2011, BYU is beginning to understand the power of alliances in the world of big-time college football. If proposed legislative changes go through as expected, BYU will be shut out of the conversation completely as the five major conferences and Notre Dame fight for autonomy. That's why BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall went on the offensive Thursday, telling the American-Statesman that he'd love to join the Big 12. Two Big 12 sources said that idea is practically a non-starter. "We would love to be in the Big 12," Mendenhall said. "I would love to be a member of that conference. I think that would make a lot of sense. In fact, if that was your headline, that would be great." The SEC and ACC have both recently announced that their teams won't count the Cougars as a BCS-level opponent in scheduling going forward, which would put BYU in a difficult position in the coming years with the arrival of the College Football Playoff. (Austin American-Statesman)Comment

Kendrys Morales was one of two established big-leaguers mired in free agent purgatory earlier this season due to the draft-pick compensation tied to their free agency, and when Stephen Drew returned to the Boston Red Sox recently after going unsigned for much of the first two months of the season, Morales was left alone on the market. The MLB Draft has long seemed to be a key moment for Morales, and with agent Scott Boras recently declining to OK the Yankees' request to wait a few days while they monitor the progress of Carlos Beltran and especially Mark Teixeira before Morales signs, indications are that the free agent will likely find a new home within the next day or two. While the Yankees aren't necessarily out of the running for Morales, it would appear other teams -- including the Brewers, the incumbent Mariners and another team or two -- may have a better chance now to sign the first baseman/DH. The Yankees sought to gauge the health of Teixeira (wrist) and Beltran (elbow) to known how much playing time they would have for Morales, but they may be running out of time. Teams looking to sign Morales after the draft no longer have to surrender a pick as compensation, freeing up his options. (CBS Sports)Comment

Must-See Photo

Miami shooting guard Ray Allen rises for a thunderous dunk in transition during the Heat's 110-95 loss to the Spurs in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Must-See Video

Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins discusses the San Antonio Spurs' ability to draw upon their depth in the face of adverse conditions to take a 1-0 series lead in the NBA Finals with a 110-95 win in Game 1.

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